Yarn handling

ABSTRACT

A breakage lever assembly and assembly control for a winder has an electromagnet connected in circuit with an electronic yarn clearer for withdrawing the breakage lever from contact with an advancing strand of yarn when the clearer detects that the yarn is advancing normally. When the clearer detects that the yarn is not advancing normally, the breakage lever is released for movement to a position in the normal yarn path and thereupon performs all of its normal functions in conjunction with the winder control, such as commencement of a knotting cycle to piece up a broken yarn, initiating a second knotting cycle in the event of a mistie and other functions as are well understood in the art.

United States Patent Grant [54] YARN HANDLING [72] Inventor: Donald W. Grant, Warwick, R.l. [73] Assignee: Lessons Corporation, Warwick, R1.

[22] Filed: Mar. 9, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 17,790

[52] US. Cl ..242/36 [51] Int. Cl ..B65h 63/00. [58] Field ofSearch ..242/36, 37,38,57.l,35.5,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,522,913 8/1970 Werffeli ..242/36 2,936,511 5/ 1 960 Wilson ..28/64 3,053,986 9/1962 Loepfe et a1. ...28/64 UX 3,185,924 5/1965 Locher.. ...28/64 UX 3,303,698 2/1967 Loepfe ..28/64 UX 5] Feb. 22, 1972 Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath AttorneyAlbert P. Davis and Burnett W. Norton [5 7] ABSTRACT A breakage lever assembly and assembly control for a winder has an electromagnet connected in circuit with an electronic yarn clearer for withdrawing the breakage lever from contact with an advancing strand of yarn when the clearer detects that the yarn is advancing normally. When the clearer detects that the yarn is not advancing normally, the breakage lever is released for movement to a position in the normal yarn path and thereupon performs all of its normal functions in conjunction with the winder control, such as commencement of a knotting cycle to piece up a broken yarn, initiating a second knotting cycle in the event of a mistie and other functions as are well understood in the art.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures YARN HANDLING This invention relates to apparatus and a method for handling a strand and, more particularly, to sensing the condition of a normally advancing strand, for example, a strand of yarn advanced by a winding machine.

As used herein the term package" includes a bobbin or cone and in general means any body of yarn or other strand material wound so that it may be readily moved from place to place. The terms winder and winding machine" refer generally to any sort of equipment for winding a bobbin or a package. The term yarn is employed in a general sense to apply to all kinds of strand material, either textile or otherwise.

This invention is generally applicable to various sorts of equipment for handling an advancing strand of yarn. The invention is illustrated and described in conjunction with a Uniconer, Model 644, automatic cone winder, manufactured by Leesona Corporation, Warwick, R.I., 02887. In general, this cone winder withdraws a strand of yarn from a supply bobbin and winds the advancing yarn onto a cone. During normal winding of the yarn, a breakage lever engages the advancing yarn and urges the yarn against anfinner" bail and a slubber" bail. In the event of a yarn breakage, the yarn becomes slack and the breakage lever, which is restrained in a normal position and against any substantial movement because of its engagement with the yarn, is now permitted to move to a displaced position and such movement starts a knotting cycle to piece up the broken ends of the yarn. During the knotting cycle the yarn returns the breakage lever to its normal position. If the piecing up attempt is not successful, the breakage lever moves again to its displaced position, as shown in FIG. 4, initiating a second knotting cycle, andif the supply end of the yarn has not been withdrawn from the knotter, the breakage lever withdraws the yarn. In the event that the winder (or only a particular winding station, if possible) is shutdown while the yarn is being advanced normally, the breakage lever is held in its normal position by the now stationary yarn which it is still urging against the inner bail and the slubber bail, so that upon again starting operation of the winder or the winding station, the yarn immediately advances normally and a knotting cycle is not commenced. Yarn clearers of various types, such as the one to be discussed later, are often provided on the above noted cone winders.

The present invention provides textile apparatus capable of winding yarns at higher speeds, and handling of finer yarns, as well as providing for the formationof softer cones which are of particular advantage in dyeing of the cones. To this end, the breakage lever is withdrawn from engagement with the yarn when the yarn is advancing normally from the supply bobbin to the cone. In the event that the yarn ceases to advance normally, as upon shutdown of the apparatus, breakage of the advancing yarn, or exhaustion of the supply yarn from the bobbin, the breakage lever is released to assume a position in the normal yarn path for ultimate engagement with the yarn. Thus, the breakage lever is then disposed to perform its normal functions and prevent a knotting cycle after a'shutdown, and in initiating the knotting cycle in the event of breakage of the yarn.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide new and improved apparatus and a method for handling a strand.

Another object is provision of a new and improved apparatus and method for handling an advancing strand.

Still another object is provision of apparatus for use with equipment for handling a strand advancing along a path, the apparatus including a first mechanism for detecting whether or not the strand is advancing normally along the path, and a second mechanism, responsive to the first mechanism for detecting irregularities form the normal advance of the strand along the path, and for detecting whether or not the strand is present along the path in condition to be advanced along the path. Related objects include: provision of the second mechanism in the form of a strand feeler mounted for movement into and away from a portion of the strand path, and holding mechanism responsive to the first mechanism detecting the strand advancing normally along the path for releasably retaining the feeler out of the path, and responsive to the first mechanism detecting the strand not advancing normally along the path for releasing the feeler for movement into the path to engage the strand if the strand is along this portion of the path; provision of the holding mechanism in the form of a magnet for releasably retaining the feeler out of the path when the strand is advancing normally along the path, and; provision of the equipment in the form of a winder, provision of the first mechanism in the form of an electronic detector for detecting whether or not the strand is advancing normally (and for detecting slubs, that is enlargements in the yarn), and

' provision of the feeler in the form of a strand breakage lever,

the breakage lever operating in a normal (for example, a conventional) manner upon being released by the magnet.

A further object is provision of a method for use with equipment for handling a strand advancing along a path, the method including the steps of detecting whether or not the strand is advancing normally along the path, and upon detecting the strand not advancing normally along the path, detecting whether or not the strand is present along the path in condition to be advanced. Related objects include: provision for detecting whether or not the strand is present only upon detecting the strand not advancing normally along the path, feeler and including the step of retaining the feeler out of engagement with the strand when the strand is advancing normally along the path, and when the strand is not advancing normally along the path, releasing the feeler so that it may engage the strand if the strand is present along this portion of the path.

These and other objects and advantagesof the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. I is a fragmentary, schematic top view of a portion of a winding station of a winder, as during normal operation of the station;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1, with a portion of a breakage lever in phantom lines, and other portions in solid lines;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the apparatus as during shutdown of the winder, for example;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, but showing the apparatus as during breakage of a strand of yarn which is normally wound at the station;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an electrical control circuit for the breakage lever, the circuit being simplified for facilitating description of operation thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view similar to FIG. 2, of another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a portion of a winding station of the cone winder previously noted. The station includes a supply bobbin 10 mounted adjacent one end of an assembly including a top plate 12, numerous parts of this assembly being omitted from the drawing since they are not necessary for an understanding of the invention. From the bobbin 10 a strand of yarn 14 is normally continuously withdrawn and is advanced, in order: across a threading bail 16, through a yarn tensioner I8, under a sensing pin 20 which initiates automatic indexing of a fresh supply bobbin into the position indicated when the yarn is removed from beneath the pin, then through a slub detector or yarn clearer sensing head 22, from which the yarn passes under and engages an inner bail 24 operatively fixed on the top plate 12, the foregoing parts being suitably fixedly located on the top plate 12. Then the yarn 14 passes above a feeler 26 of a breakage lever 28 which is pivoted to the side of a, control unit 30, and then the yarn 14 passes under and engages a slubber bail 32 fixed relative to the top plate I2, the yarn thereafter being advanced in a suitable manner to a traversing mechanism (not shown) which traverses the advancing yarn onto a rotating cone (not shown). As may best be seen in FIG. 2, during normal advancement of the yarn 14 as it is being wound onto the cone, the yarn engages both the inner bail 24 and the slubber bail 32, but the yarn is above and does not engage the breakage lever feeler 26.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the breakage lever 28 is operatively fixed, in any suitable manner, to a breakage lever plate 34 fixedly secured to a shaft 36 which is journaled in normal manner in a control unit 30 to initiate a knotting cycle, when necessary, as is well understood in the art. To urge the breakage lever 28 upwardly, for engagement with the yarn 14, as in FIGS. 3 and 4, a counter weight 38 is operatively fixed to an arm 40 which is operatively fixed to the breakage lever plate 34 on an opposite side of the shaft 36 from the connection of the breakage lever 28. In order to retain the breakage lever feeler 26 out of engagement with the yarn 14 (FIG. 2) during normal advancement of the yarn, an electromagnet 42, fixed as by bolts 44 (FIGS. 2-4) to the control unit 30 is energized to attract and hold A magnetic disc or plate 46 which is fixedly connected to an arm 48. In turn, arm 48 is connected to the breakage lever plate 34, as by studs 50. It will be observed that arm 48 is connected to the plate 46 intermediate the counterweight arm 40 and the breakage lever connections. During normal advancement of the yarn 14, the electromagnet 42 is maintained energized through the electrical circuit (FIG. 5, to be described later) responsive to an electric signal originating at the sensing head 22 of the yarn clearer,

The yarn clearer may be of any suitable type, for example such as a Loepfe clearer, Type FR-30, manufactured by Loepfe Brothers Limited, Zurich, Switzerland, and wellknown in the trade. v

As shown in FIG. 3, in the event of a shutdown of the winder or clearer, the yarn 14 stops advancing in normal manner. Hence, the signal originated by the sensing head 22 is terminated, whereupon the electromagnet 42 is no longer energized so that it does not continue to hold the magnetic plate 46, whereupon the breakage lever counter weight 38 causes the breakage lever 28 to swing upwardly and the feeler 26 to engage the yarn 14 which is present along its normal path between the inner bail 24 and the slubber bail 32. The breakage lever is retained in this position (FIG. 3) by the yarn 14 which is tensioned and in condition to again be advanced in normal manner along its path when the winder, or the clearer, as the case may be, is again placed in operation. When the winder and/or clearer is reinitiated the breakage lever 28 is withdrawn from the yarn path by the electromagnet 42.

With reference to FIG. 4, in the event of a yarn breakage or exhaustion of the supply of yarn on the bobbin, the yarn 14 is no longer advanced in the normal manner along its path and the clearer ceases to provide its signal, whereupon the electromagnet 42 is again no longer energized, but in this event the yarn 14, if any, between the inner bail 24 and the slubber bail 32, is no longer tensioned so that even through the breakage lever feeler 26 engages the yarn 14, the breakage lever 28 will continue to pivot upwardly, generally to the position shown in FIG. 4. This is particularly advantageous following a first knotting cycle if the knotting attempt has not been successful. During the knotting attempt the breakage lever 28 will be pivoted clockwise by the yarn 14 from the bobbin generally to the position shown in FIG. 3. If the knotting attempt was unsuccessful the yarn 14 becomes slack and the breakage lever 28 will again pivot counterclockwise to the position shown in FIG. 4. Lever 28 will thus withdraw the end of the yarn 14 from the knotter (not shown) if the end has not been previously withdrawn otherwise. Once the yarn 14 is again advancing normally the clearer again emits its signal whereupon the breakage lever 28 is withdrawn from the path of advancing yarn l4 and is positioned as shown in FIG. 2, thus reducing yarn tension and eliminating frictional contact of the yarn with the breakage lever feeler during normal windmg.

The electromagnet 42 is controlled by the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 5, this circuit being shown in a normal position when the entire circuit is deenergized, as during shutdown. Upon energizing the circuit, the clearer-sensing head 22 is energized and upon the yarn l4 advancing above a minimum lineal speed during winding, a signal is emitted by the sensing head 22 and passes through an amplifier 54 to a relay IR which are part of an electronic control unit 56 of the clearer and is separate from the sensing head 22. When the relay IR is energized it closes its normally open contact lRl so that the electromagnet 42 is energized in a circuit separate from the sensing head and control unit circuit. The signal emitted during normal advancement of the yarn is a fluctuating signal, but when the speed of the yarn drops considerably, for example to a lineal speed of 30 to 50 yards per minute, the signal is no longer emitted in sufficient intensity to retain the relay 1R energized, whereupon its contact 1R1 opens and the electromagnet 42 is no longer energized, and the breakage lever 28 is released to move from the position shown in FIG. 2 to a position as shown either in FIGS. 3 or 4.

FIG. 6 of the drawing shows another embodiment of a breakage lever assembly. Herein, a breakage lever plate 60 is fixedly secured to the control shaft 36 journaled in the control unit 30 in normal manner, and carries a breakage lever 62 having a section constituting a feeler 64 which is positioned to engage the yarn 14 as previously described. A counterweight 66 is adjustably mounted and operatively fixed by a set bolt 68, on a portion of the breakage lever 62 opposite the feeler 64 relative to the breakage lever plate 60. On a portion of the control unit 30 between the plate 60 and the feeler 64 is an electromagnet 70 which is fixed to the control unit housing, as by bolts 72, in position to engage a magnetic disc or plate 74 operatively fixed to the breakage lever. The same control circuit as shown in FIG. 5 will operate this embodiment.

While this invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments in a particular environment, various changes may be apparent to one skilled in the art and the invention is therefore not to be limited to such embodiments or environment except as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for use with winding mechanism operable to advance a strand along a path comprising, first means for detecting whether the strand is advancing normally along the path, and second means including a strand breakage lever on said winding machine, said lever being responsive to the first means detecting the strand not advancing nonnally along the path to shift to a normal sensing position for detecting whether the strand is present along the path in normal condition to be advanced along the path.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second means includes a strand feeler, means for mounting said feeler for movement toward and away from at least a portion of said path, and means operative when said first means detects said strand advancing normally along said path for releasably retaining said feeler out of said path, and when said first means detects said strand not advancing normally along said path for releasing said feeler for movement into said portion of said path to engage the strand if the strand is along said portion of the path.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which said feeler has at least a portion which is magnetic, said second means further includes an electromagnet cooperating with the magnetic portion for releasably retaining said feeler when the electromagnet is energized, and said first means is connected in a circuit with said electromagnet for deenergizing the electromagnet when the strand is not advancing normally along said path.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first means includes an electronic detector for detecting whether or not the strand is advancing normally along the path.

5. A method for use with mechanism for advancing a strand along a path comprising the steps of, detecting whether the strand is advancing normally along the path, upon detecting the strand not advancing normally along the path physically engaging the strand with feeler means to sense whether or not the strand is present along said path in its normal condition to be advanced, and retaining the feeler means disengaged from the strand when the strand is in normal condition advancing along the path. 

1. Apparatus for use with winding mechanism operable to advance a strand along a path comprising, first means for detecting whether the strand is advancing normally along the path, and second means including a strand breakage lever on said winding machine, said lever being responsive to the first means detecting the strand not advancing normally along the path to shift to a normal sensing position for detecting whether the strand is present along the path in normal condition to be advanced along the path.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second means includes a strand feeler, means for mounting said feeler for movement toward and away from at least a portion of said path, and means operative when said first means detects said strand advancing normally along said path for releasably retaining said feeler out of said path, and when said first means detects said strand not advancing normally along said path for releasing said feeler for movement into said portion of said path to engage the strand if the strand is along said portion of the path.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which said feeler has at least a portion which is magnetic, said second means further includes an electromagnet cooperating with the magnetic portion for releasably retaining said feeler when the electromagnet is energized, and said first means is connected in a circuit with said electromagnet for deenergizing the electromagnet when the strand is not advancing normally along said path.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first means includes an electronic detector for detecting whether or not the strand is advancing normally along the path.
 5. A method for use with mechanism for advancing a strand along a path comprising the steps of, detecting whether the strand is advancing normally along the path, upon detecting the strand not advancing normally along the path physically engaging the strand with feeler means to sense whether or not the strand is present along said path in its normal condition to be advanced, and retaining the feeler means disengaged from the strand when the strand is in normal condition advancing along the path. 